Radio receiving apparatus



Oct. l2 1926.

L, MARSTELLER RADIO RECEIVING' APPARATUS `Filed August 22, 1922 Pig.

Fig.

INVENTOR Lester O. Marstellev.

AToRNl-:Y

Paented oa. 12.1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE.

LESTER O. MARST ELLER, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE l:ELECTRIC 8a MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- 'VANI'.A.

RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS.

Application led August 22, 1922. SerialNo. 583,575.

My invention relates to radio apparatus and particularly to radio receiving apparatus.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means adapted for embodiment in regenerative wireless receiving systems wherein it may be desirable to effect a substantial increase in the wave 'length of the system over that determined by the original design thereof without altering the regenerative characteristics of the system.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for accomplishing the abovementioned desired result which is of simple, '5 compact and rugged design suitable for inexpensive quantity-production methods of manufacture and comprising parts which may be easily made in simple automatic machinery and may be readily assembled with a minimun expenditure of time and money.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the class kdescribed comprising a casing enclosing a loading coil and tickler coil disposed in spaced inductive relation and having a plurality of supporting feet which constitute the terminal connectors for the coils and which provide a space intermediate the casing and the planes of the feet which is adapted to receive a switching mechanism for short circuiting or open circuiting the coils through their corresponding terminal connectors.

With these and other objects and applications in view, my invention further consists in the details of construction and circuit arrangement hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a structure embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewY of the structure of Fig. 1 taken on the line II-II thereof.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the structure of Fig. 1'; f

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying my invention and illustrating the application thereof to a wireless receiving system of standard design;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational'view showing a wireless cabinet adapted to embody the circuit arrangement of Fig. 4 and illustrating one method of applying the structure 55 of the foregoing figures to a wireless receiving cabinet.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, a molded casing 1 is provided having ends 2 and 3 60 and a substantially flat base 4 and it is supported by a structure 5, as hereinafter described. The casing provides a chamber G ofcylindrical shape which is open at one end or side 3 and closed at the other end or 35 side 2. A post 7 is centrally positioned in the chamber 6 and has one end rigidly secured to the closed side 2 of the chamber 6 by means of a screw 8.

A pair of inductive reactance elements 9 70 and 11, which, for the purpose of illustration, are shown in the formv of spirally wound coils having terminal leads 12, 13 and 14, 15, respectively, are mounted upon the post 7 in mutually inductiverelation. 75 The coils 9 and 11 are designed to serve, respectively, as a loading coil and as a tickler coil, as hereinafter explained. The open end 3 of the casing 1 may be closed by ymeans of a member 16 of disk shape which 80 may be secured in position by means of a screw member 17 extending through the disk 16 and engaging the unsupported end of the post 7.

The supporting structure 5 for the casing 35 1 is of such design as to provide combined supporting feet and circuit terminals for the coils 9 and 11 and to provide a switching mechanism for open circuiting or short circuiting the terminals of the several coils through their respective supporting feet.

The desired result is accomplished by providing two pairs of-switch unitsy 18 and 19, which also serve as terminal connectors for the coils 9 and 11, respectively. The two 95 pairs of units comprise members 21, 22 and 23, 24, respectively. Each of the members just mentioned has a horizontally extending portion 25 which is secured to the base 4 by screws 26 and 27 in spaced relation. The 100 screws 27 may extend through' the molded casing l into the chamber 6 to provide connections between the several coil terminals and the individual members of the several switch units.

The outer end of the horizontally extending portion may be provided with a bentback portion 28 extending vertically therefrom and terminating in an oppositely extending horizontal portion 29 which is designed to serve as a supporting foot and as a connector, as, for instance, in the manner shown in Fig. 5. To this end, the lateral extension 29 is provided with a perforation 31 for receiving` a binding post 32 ofa receiving cabinet 33.

Corresponding elements 21 and 23 of the switch units 18 and 19, respectively, are provided with pivotally mounted switch arms 34 and 35, the ends of which may engage stationary contact elements 36 and 37, which are secured to the remaining elements 22 and 24, respectively. Each of the stationary contact elements 36 and 37 may be constructed by bending a strip integral with the corresponding element 22 or 23 to provide jaws for receiving the end of the corresponding movable contact elements 34 or 35,' as shown in Fig. 1. However, if desired, the jaws may be constructed separately and secured to the elements 22 and 24 by means of the screws 27. Y

A switch rod 38 for opening andr closing the switch units 18 and 19, as hereinafter explained, is slidably mounted between the inner edges of the severalhorizontallyextending portions 25 and is constrained to move in a longitudinal direction by the same. A strip member 39, which is secured to the under` side of the casing4 by screws 41 at a point substantially midway between the switch units 18and 19, serves to provide additional limiting means for constraining the y motion of the rod 38 to a-longitudinal direction only. Operation of the movable contact elements 34 and 35 of the switch units 18 and 19 is effected by means of pins 42 and 43 carried by the switch rod 38 and engaging slotted portions 44 and 45 in the movable contact elements 34 and 35, respectively.

When the switch rod 38 is moved to actuate the ends of the movable contact elements '34 and 35 into engagement with the jaws formed by the stationary contact elements 36 and 37, the opposite terminals of each coil 9 and 11 are electrically connected and hence the coils are short circuited. When the switch rod 38 is moved i-n an opposite direction to actuate the movable contact elements 34 and 35 out of engagement with the stationary contact elements 36 and 37, the short-circuiting connections are broken.

Fig. 4 shows a practical embodiment of my invention in a wireless receiving system employing the so-called single-circuit receiver, the general features of which constitute the subject matter of a copending application of Frank Conrad, Serial No. 386,323, filed June 3, 1920, and assigned to the lVestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. `My invention, however, is not necessarily limited to any particular type of regenerative receiving circuit.

In the circuit arrangement herein shown, an vantenna 46 is connected to ground through a variable condenser 47, a variometer 48, "the switch unit 19 and a ground conductor 49. The condenser 47 yand variometer 48 are mechanically connected byk I leak 56, to a point in the antenna circuit intermediate the variable condenser 47 and the variometer 48. `The cathode 53 of the tube 51 is connected to the grounded side of the switch unit 19 by a conductor 57. A platefilament circuit for the tube 51 isinductively coupled to the variometer 48 by means of a coil 58 in such manner as to admit of regeneration and may include, in addition, the remaining switch unit 18 of the switch mechanism shown in the foregoing figures.

lVhen receiving on wave-lengths included within the normal range of the regenerative receiving set, the switches 18 and 19 of my auxiliary loading coil apparatus, are closed, thus short circuiting the auxiliary loading coil 9 in the antenna circuit and the auxiliary tickler coil 11 in the plate feed-back circuit,

respectively. Tuning is effected by simultaneously adjusting the variometer 48 and the tuning condenser 47 in such manner as to maintain a`suitable amount of feed-back coupling for regenerative reception of'kany wave-length within the range of the receiving apparatus. n

In order to secure regenerative reception of signals at wave lengths longer than the longest wave for which the receiving apparatus was designed, it has Ibeen found that satisfactory operation may be effected by means ot an auxiliary loading c'oil, as 9, inserted in the antenna circuit and a suitably proportioned auxiliary tickler coil, as 1l, inserted in the plate circuit in proper inductive relation to the auxiliary loading coil. The necessary `proportions and arrangements of the auxiliary apparatus depend upon the constants of the particular regenerative receiving set for which the auxiliary loading coil is designed. In general, it may be stated that when the wave length is increased, the feed-back coupling must also be increased, and my tuning-coil apparatus is designed to meet this need in the art of regenerative radio reception.

An arrangement shown in Fig. 5 illustrates one method of applying my invention to the wireless receiving cabinet 33 embodying a receiving system' such as that of Fig. 4, the wave length of which is too low. It will be noted that the several supporting feet for the casing l are electrically connected to the binding posts 32 of the cabinet 33 and supported thereby.

f While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention for the purpose ofdcscribing the same and more fully illustrating its principles of operation and its construction of details, it is apparent various changes and modifications may be madein the nature, the mode of operation and the details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are 'indicated in the appended claims or demanded by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination,l a casing adapted to embody electrical apparatus, and a plurality of supporting feet for said casing providing a space between the casing` andthe plane of the feet, certain of said feet constituting terminal connectors for said apparatus, and a switch mechanism disposed in said space.

2. In combination, a casing, electrical ap.- paratus ,disposed therein, and a plurality of supporting` feet for said casing providing a space between the casing `and the plane of said feet, certain of said feet constituting terminal connectors for said apparatus,-and means carried by said easing and extending into said space for, at will, 4close circuiting said electrical apparatus through said terminal connectors.

3. In combination, a casing, a pair of inductive reactance elements suitably disposed therein, a plurality of pairs for supporting feet for said casing, each pair of feet constituting the terminal connectors for one of said inductive reactance e elements, and switching means for short circuiting said elements through corresponding pairs of terminal connectors. l l 11i. In combination, a regenerative electrical system, a casing, a loading coil and a ticlrler, coil suitably mounted inA said casing in such relation to said system as to admit of substantially no change in theptendency for said system to regenerate upon the inclusion of said coils therein, and a plurality ofpairs of supporting feet for said casing, cach pair of feet constituting the terminal connectors 'for one of said coils. y

5. In combination, a casing, a pair of inductive reactancelelements of predetermined proportions `suitably mounted therein in spaced relation, a plurality ofV supporting feet for said casing eonstituting'terminal connectors for said elements, means adapted to receive said supporting feet, said feet being of such design as to provide an open space between the casing and the supporting.

means, and means disposed 4in said spacefor short circuitingsaid elements through their corresponding terminal connectors.

/ 6. In combination, a casing having an opening in one side thereof, a member rigidly positioned in substantially the anis of said opening aninductive reactance element carried by said member, a plurality of support-ing feet for said casing, certain of said feet constituting terminal connectors for `.said element, means adapted to receive said opening in one side thereof, a member .hav-s ing one end secured to an opposite side and substantially centrally positioned, an inducvtive reactance element carried by said member, means for closing said opening, a connector for engaging said means and the other end of said member in such manner 'as to secure said means in position, and a plurality of supporting feet constituting terminal connectors for vsaid element.

9. In combination, a casing having an openingin one side thereof, a member havsubstantially centrally positioned, a pair of inductive reactance elements carried by said member, means for closing and opening, a plurality of supporting feet for said casing constituting terminal connectors for said elements, said feet being of such design asv to provide an open space between the casing and the plane of the feet, and means carE ried by said casing and extending down into said space for-short circuiting, at Will, said ing one end secured to an opposite side and elements through their corresponding ter-X mina-l connectors.

410. The combination with apparatus having terminal connectors positioned in onev surface thereof, of co-operating apparatus comprising aY casingY having inductive reactance elements mounted therein, supporting/feet .for` said casing constituting terminal connectors for said elements, said feet being supported by said first-mentioned terminal connectors and embodying such design as to provide a .space between said lcasing and. said first-mentioned apparatus,

and means carried by said co-operating apparatus and disposed in said space for short circuiting, at Will, said elements through their corresponding terminal connectors.

11. The combination withY apparatus having terminal connectors positioned in one surface thereof, of co-operating apparatus comprising a `casing having inductive reactance elements mounted therein, a pluralllO ity of perforated supporting feet for said casing constituting terminal connectors for said elements, said feet being supported by said first-mentioned terminal connectors engaging said perforations and embodying` suoli design as to provide a space between said casing and said first-mentioned apparatus, and means carried by said co-operating apparatus and disposed in said space tor short cii'cuiting, at will, said elements through their corresponding terminalconnectors.

12. The combination with apparatus having terminal comiectors positioned in one surface thereof, of co-operating apparatus comprising a casing having inductive reactance elements mounted therein, a plurality of perforated supporting feet for said cas` ing constituting terminal connectors for said elements, said feet being supported by said first-mentioned terminal connectors engaging said perforations and embodying such design as to provide a space between said casing`and saidiirst-mentioned apparatus, and means carried by said co-operating apparatus and disposed m said spa-'5e for short cireuiting, at will, said elements.

through their corresponding terminal con- Qnectors, said means comprising movablecontact elements, stationary contact elements and a switch rod for actuating the movable `contact elements into engagement with the stationary contact elements and vice versa.

13. The combination with an electrical apparatus, of a plurality of supporting feet insulated from one another and electrically connected to the respective terminals of said apparatus, and switching means for providing a short-circuiting connection or connections between said feet.

14. The combination with a main electrical .apparatus -having terminal binding posts, of an auxiliary electrical apparatus having a plurality of supporting feet insulated from one another and electrically'connected to the respective terminals'otl said auxiliary apparatus, said supporting feet being provided with openings or`engaging saidbinding posts.

15. The combination with an electriral` apparatus, of a plurality of supporting feet insulated from one another and providing a tus, means for electrically connecting one or more of said feet to said apparatus, means for electrically connecting one or more of said feet to an electric circuit or circuits,'and

-a switching mechanism mounted in said space.

16. The combination with a main electrical apparatus having two pairs of juxta-positioned binding posts adapted to be intercon nected in pairs, of an auxiliary electrical apparatus connected in circuit with said bindproviding short-eircuiting,connections interconnecting said binding posts in pairs. l

17. The combination with a main electrical apparatus having two pairs of juxta-positioned binding posts adapted to be interconnected in pairs, of a switching mechanism having insulatedsupporting feet provided with openingsl for energizing said binding posts, conductors connected to said feet and adapted to connect auxiliary apparatus, and means for providing short-cir.- cuitingconnections interconnectingsaid feet in pairs. f

18. A switching unit comprising a longitudinally reciprocable operating rod, a pair ot insulated supporting feet disposed on opposite sides of the line of movement of said rod, means for electrically connecting said feet to an external circuit, a switch-arm pivoted to one of said feet and adapted to be Lmoved into engagement with the other of said feet, and an operative connection between said switch-arm and said rod.

19. The combinationwith al regenerative apparatus including an amplifier, input and output circuits therefor and means for returning some of the power from the output circuit to the input circuit, of a loading coil in said input circuit, a tickler coil in said output circuit in inductive relation to said loadingr coil, a housingA containing said two coils,l supporting means for said housing constituting the terminals ,ofv said coils and a switching device cooperating with said terminals for short-circuiting both of said coils simultaneously at will.

20. In a radio receiving system, a regenerative detector, auxiliary means including a loading coil and a supplemental tickler coil, conductive securing devices for attaching said auxiliary means to said regenerative detector andconnections whereby said securing devices will put said loading and supplemental tickler coils in circuit with the corresponding parts of the regenerative detector. A

21. In a radio receiving system, a regenerative detector, auxiliary means including a loading coil and a supplemental tickler coil, conductive securing devices for attaching said auxiliary means to said regenerative detector and connections whereby said securing devices will put said loading and supplemental tickler coils in circuit with the corresponding parts of the regenerative detector, and a switching device for simultaneously short-circuiting said loading and supplemental tickler coils.

.. In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of Arigust, 1922. 

